Banksy's Las Vegas Wedding and Secret Somerset Life Exposed
For over six decades, the Chapel of the Bells has stood as a beacon for romantic and impulsive couples on the Las Vegas Strip. With its distinctive pink neon fittings and flat $100 fee, this iconic venue has hosted countless ceremonies, including Hollywood stars like Leslie Nielsen, Mickey Rooney, and Beverly D'Angelo. Featured in films such as Indecent Proposal and National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation, the chapel holds a special place in Vegas mythology. Yet, one globally renowned figure who exchanged vows there remains conspicuously absent from its celebrated history: the enigmatic British graffiti artist Banksy.
The 2006 Vegas Ceremony Under a Real Name
Newly obtained documents reveal that Banksy, whose true identity has been confirmed as former public schoolboy Robin Gunningham, married political researcher Joy Millward at the Chapel of the Bells on January 2, 2006. The wedding certificate, secured by The Mail on Sunday, shows Gunningham used his birth name for the ceremony, despite already gaining international fame under his Banksy alias. Millward, who worked for Labour MP Austin Mitchell, became his wife in a setting surrounded by Elvis impersonators and the glittering backdrop of Las Vegas casinos.
This revelation comes as Banksy marks the 20th anniversary of his marriage, adding a layer of personal history to the artist's meticulously guarded private life. The ceremony occurred shortly after Banksy's Barely Legal exhibition in Los Angeles, yet he opted for discretion by using his legal name rather than his famous pseudonym.
From Gunningham to David Jones: A Life in Hiding
Following the wedding, Gunningham distanced himself from his birth name, adopting the alias David Jones—one of the most common name combinations in the UK. Under this identity, he and his wife, now known as Joy Jones, reside in a picturesque Somerset village within the affluent area dubbed the 'Somerset golden triangle.' Their home is a Grade II listed detached property, purchased in 2014 from another artist, where they lead a quiet, middle-class life.
Neighbors know him simply as 'David,' largely unaware of his true identity as the multimillionaire street artist. Instead of creating his signature graffiti, Banksy is occasionally seen tending to his vegetable patch or caring for chickens in his garden. He and his wife drive older SUVs, and he dresses modestly, a stark contrast to the edgy, urban image he cultivates through his art.
Uncovering the Elusive Artist's Identity
The confirmation of Banksy's identity as Robin Gunningham was recently corroborated by a Reuters investigation, which built upon The Mail on Sunday's initial exposure in 2008. Key evidence includes a signed confession from Gunningham's 2000 arrest in New York for vandalizing a Marc Jacobs billboard, where he admitted to making a 'humorous adjustment' after a night of drinking.
Spanish private detective Francisco Marco, who traced Banksy to the Somerset village, emphasized the significance of the Vegas marriage certificate. 'When you investigate someone, one of the most revealing documents is their marriage certificate,' Marco stated. 'Las Vegas is a classic destination for discreet, quick weddings, ideal for someone who wants to leave as little trace as possible.'
Further links include immigration records showing 'David Jones' traveled to Ukraine in 2022, departing on the same day as Robert del Naja of Massive Attack—a longtime associate of Banksy. The date of birth on Jones' passport matched Gunningham's, strengthening the connection.
A Life of Secrecy and Security
Despite his staggering wealth—estimated at over £50 million—Banksy maintains a low profile. His Somerset home features imposing security gates and CCTV cameras, an ironic touch given his art's frequent critique of surveillance culture. He has made no alterations to the listed property beyond general upkeep and the removal of some trees.
Banksy's representatives have consistently declined to comment on his identity, warning that exposure could endanger the artist and devalue his work by dismantling the mysterious persona that fuels his brand. His most expensive artwork, Love is in the Bin, sold for £18.58 million in 2021 after partially shredding during a Sotheby's auction—a stunt that epitomizes his subversive style.
From his roots in Bristol's underground art scene to his current life in rural Somerset, Banksy continues to balance global fame with intense privacy, his Vegas wedding now a hidden chapter in the ongoing enigma of his identity.
